US1483423A

US1483423A - Casing for locomotive steam pipes

Info

Publication number: US1483423A
Application number: US645645A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur H Fetters
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1923-06-15
Filing date: 1923-06-15
Publication date: 1924-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1941-02-12

Description

Feb. 12 1924. v A. H. FETTERS CASING FOR LOGOMOTIVE STEAM PIPES Filed June 15. 1923 Elite: "M14- the external cular,

UN ITED STATES PATENT o'F 1,483,423 Fl-CE.

ARTHUR H. FET'IERS, OF OMAHA, ISI EBRASKA.

cas no ron Locomor vn s'rE'ant rrrns.

Application flled..]'une 15, 1923. Serial No. 645,64iii.

To aZZ whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR H. Fn'rrnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casings for Locomotive Steam Pipes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to casings for'the outside steam pipes of locomotives or for those portions of the steam pipes which pass through the shell of the smoke-box and thence to the valve-chests of the locomotive cylinders. v

The purposes of the invention are, to produce a relatively inexpensive casing-which shall hermetically seal the openings through which the steam pipes pass, so that there maybe noingress whatever of air to the smoke-box, and which though permitting or compensating for expansion and contraction due to heat, and play incident to vibration of the locomotive, shall nevertheless maintain a perfect sealing of the openings for an indefinite periodf The construction is such that packing glands are avoided, and heavy and expensive fittings are dispensed with.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary section of the smoke box shell, the external portion of one of the steam pipes, the sealing casing, and casin extending from the smoke box to the va ve-chest; and

Figure 2 is a plan or face viewof a plate applied to the interior of the smoke-box shell and through which the steam pipe passes.

In these drawings, 1 indicates the shell of the smoke-box provided withan opening 2 considerably larger than and thus facilitating the introduction of the outside steam pipe 3. 4 indicates the valve-chest provided with a flanged neck 5 with which the steam pipe 3 makes connection, preferably by a spherical joint 6, as is usual in locomotive construction. The opening 2, which is cir-- metallic plate 7 of the form shown in Fig. 2, and having an opening of like form. The

' elliptical orelongated form of the opening is rendered-necessary by reason :of the curvature and inclination of plate 7 relative to the steam pipe 3, it being desirable that the inner edge or wall of the opening in plate, have a slight clearance with-reference to preparatory to setting the latter.

smoke-box shell where,

ispartly covered and reduced by, a.

the pipe 3. The plate 7 is secured to the ably by spot welding, though I do not re strict myself to this particular mode of attachment. It is so secured after the steam pipe 3 has been properly positioned.

In practice it is found desirable to make the plate 7 in two like sections so that it may be readily plaifed about the steam pipe after the latter has been properly positloned, but if there be no enlargements at the ends of the pipe section it may be made in a single piece and passed over the end of the pipe As the plate is of relatively thin material, it is possible to cut it at one end only and bend the two sides apart facewise, pass it about the pipe and into position, and bring the free Encompassing that portion ,ofthe steam pipe 3 immediately outside the smoke-box shell 1,-and for som'edistancebelow the same, is a cylindrical casing 8, the upper end of which is provided with an outwardly turned flange 9, the face of which is curved to conform to the outside curvature of the stance, the steam pipe is arranged vertically, The angularity of said face will be varied to correspond to anychangeof the position of the steam pipe from the vertical. The

lower end of the casing 8 is reduced in diameter to form a necklO, which makes a close contact or fit with the circumference of steam pipe 3 or with a swell or enlargement. ll made/thereon, that portion of the casing 8 between its main body or portion of larger diameter and the neck or sleeve.

10 being formed .by a reversed or ogee curve 12, as shown in the drawing. The neck or sleeve 10 is preferably electrically welded to the steam pipe, and the flange 9 is similarly welded to the outer face of the producing air and smoke-boxshell 1-, thus gas tight joints between the steam pipe and thesmoke-bo'x' shell, and hermetically sealing the latter against ingress of air through the openings 2.

13 indicates a light outer casing of sheet metal, which is preferably made in two movah These sections are flanged at their lower ends to conform. to .the circumferenceas in the present in-- halves tov facilitate application and rein the showing. of the parts,

A play of the pipe tive construction,

inner casing having m Q teases cylindrical form, and are cut on a curve at their upper ends to conform to the curvature of the smoke-box shell and of the flange 9 of the inner casing 8. The sections of the casing 13 may be connected in an convenient way, either by bands or hoops passing about them, or by bolts passing through ears 14 formed thereon.

The bolts connecting the lianges of the steam pipe 3 and valve-chest neck 5 are omitted in the drawing for greater clearness but will of course be used in practice.

The space bounded by the inner walls of easing 8 and the outer walls of steam pipe 3 and plate 7 may be advantageously packed with asbestos or other heat'resistant material, if desired, in the form of asbestos rope, this serving to lessen the radiation of heat from and the cooling of the steam pipe. Packing may if desired be applied within the outer casing 13 for a like purpose.

While in practice it is deemed advisable to employ spot welding for the attachment of plate 7 to the smoke-box shell, and electric welding for securing the casing S to the smoke-box shell and steam pipe, it is ob vious thatother methods of securing sai parts and forming a gas and air tight union between them, may be employed. I do not,

. therefore, intend to restrict myself to welding, but contemplate any other usual or known and efficientmethod of making such connection. 7

The reversed or ogee curve connecting the larger and smaller diameters of the casing 8 ensures a flexibility and permits a limited 3 without producing any initial lines of fracture such as would be oilered by sharp bends .or angles.

The structure here set forthhas been practically tested for a considerable period of time in regular railway. service, and such tests have demonstrated its efficiency, permanency, and absolute freedom from air leaks. It thus overcomes a serious difficulty long and generally experienced in locomoseriously affecting the draft of the engine, and involving material waste of fuel.

The use of the light outer. casing 13 is optional, though usual andpreferred. The prominent feature of the invention is the the reversed curve atfording flexibility and permitting, without injury, loosening of parts, or breaking of the seal, such play and vibration as is incident to the motion of the locomotive and the relative movement of its parts.

'What'is claimed is:-

1. In a-'locomotive, the combination of a smoke-box; a valve chest; a steam pipe passing through the smoke-box shell and con- 'necting with the valve chest; and a casing encompassing said steam pipe, joined at one end to the smoke-box shell and at its other end to the steam pipe, and serving to seal hermetically the opening in the smokebox shell through which the steam pipe passes.

'2. In a locomotive, the ,comhination of a smoke-box; a valve chest; a steam pi pc passing through the smoke-box shell and connecting with the valve chest; and a casing encompassing sai-d steam pipe, "oiired at one end to the smoke-box shell and at its other end to the steam pipe, and having intermediate said points ot connection a reversed curve connecting its portions of larger and smaller diameter; whereby flexibility is atforded said casing and play of the steam pipe is permitted without danger of rupturing the asing or its connections with the smoke-box shell and the steam pipe.

3. In combination with the shell of a locomotive smoke-box provided with an en larged opening for the introduction and passage of a'steam pipe; a valvechest; a. steam pipe passing through said opening in the smoke-box shell and communicating with the valve chest; a plate secured to the inner wall of the smokebox shell, projecting inward over the opening therein, and through which the steam pipe passes; a casing encompassing the steampipe and having a flanged upper end firmly secured to the exterior face of the smoke-box shell, and its lower end formed into a close-fitting sleeve and secured to the outer surface of the steam pipe; and an outer casing encompassing the first casing and the steam-pipe,

and extending from the smoke-box shell to the valve chest.

In combination with the smoke-box shell of a locomotive, a valve chest; an ex ternal steam pipe; a casing encompassing said steam pipe and welded at its upper and lower ends to said shell and steam pipe; and an outer casing encompassing the firstnamed' casing and the steam pipe, and ex tending from the smoke-box shell to the valve chest. V

5. Tn combination with the smoke-boX shell of a locomotive, andwith a valve chest, a steam pipe passing through an opening in said shell and communicating with the valve chest; a metallic casing encompassing the steam pipe, having its upper end'hermetically secured to the smoke-box shell and its lower end contracted and hermetically joined to the steam pipe; and a heatresistive packing interposed between the steam pipe and the casing.

6. In combination with the smoke-box of lllltl lliltl a locomotive having a relatively large open- 395 opening to and connecting with the valve 383 chest; a plate within the smoke-box, conforming to the curvature of the smoke-hex wall, and through which said pipe passes; and a casing encompassing the steam pipe, hermetically secured at its upper endto the smoke-box wall and at its lower end to the steam. pipe, and having between said points of attachment a reversed curve affording flexibility and permitting relative play of the parts. y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ARTHUR H. FETTERS.